Which Solo 401(k) assets go on Form 5500-EZ?
How to organize beginning and ending plan assets before preparing an annual one-participant return.
Summary
Form 5500-EZ asset reporting should be tied to plan records, not memory. A clean packet reconciles beginning-of-year assets to the prior year's ending assets, then uses year-end statements and activity records for contributions, distributions, transfers, gains, losses, and participant loans.
Do not estimate plan assets without source records.
| Beginning assets | Prior-year ending balanceReconcile to the prior filed return or passport. |
|---|---|
| Ending assets | Year-end plan balanceUse custodian, brokerage, trust, or account statements. |
| Complex assets | Hard stopPrivate interests, employer real estate, and hard-to-value assets are outside the MVP. |
Start with a reconciliation
The most useful first check is simple: does this year's beginning asset amount match last year's ending asset amount after known timing adjustments? If not, find the source of the difference before preparing the return.
Separate cash activity from valuation
Contributions, rollovers, distributions, transfers, investment gains, investment losses, and fees are activity facts. The ending asset value is the year-end plan value supported by records. Mixing these up creates weak filing support.
Hard-to-value assets are outside scope
The MVP expects simple financial statements. If the plan holds private funds, private company shares, employer real estate, notes, crypto custody questions, collectibles, or nonzero liabilities, use a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can I use a brokerage screenshot for assets?
A statement or official account record is better than a screenshot. The packet should preserve the source document used for beginning and ending values.
What if the beginning balance does not match last year's ending balance?
Stop and reconcile before filing. Differences can come from transfers, corrections, prior-year errors, or record timing, and guessing creates avoidable risk.
Can the app value private investments?
No. Alternative assets, private company interests, employer real estate, illiquid assets, and valuation complexity are outside scope.